Gelert
Photography
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE . .
Red Dragon
The Broad Scarlet Dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea), also known as the Scarlet Darter, is a common species in S.Europe and N.Africa It is very rarely found on the British Isles.
Tortoiseshell Butterfly
The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae), is common in Britain and often seen feeding on Buddleja. Its larger counterpart, though officially extinct in the UK, does occur.
The Early Bumblebee
The Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum), or Early Nesting Bumblebee. This female is feeding on Cotoneaster. They also love to forage on daisies, white clover and lavender.
Honeybee Pollinating Cornflower
Apis mellifera, the honeybee, pollinating a perennial cornflower (Centaurea montana), or Bachelor's Button. The flower, though not native to Britain, can be found in the wild.
The Beautiful Butterfly
The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is in decline in parts of Britain. A parasitic fly, Sturmia bella, lays its eggs on its favourite food plants and they are then eaten by this beauty.
The Bull
White Park Cattle, a very old and rare breed of cattle, have been kept in Britain for more than 2,000 years. They are closely related to prized wild White Cattle of Medieval times.
As Though Kissing
The House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, is the most widely distributed bird worldwide. UK numbers have lately declined drastically. Here, a male shares 'lunch' with his mate.
Sitting Pretty
Normally seen from the end of March, but even December UK sightings do occur.
On The Lookout
Sadly, when at their most abundant a century ago, there were a number of sparrow 'clubs' in the UK whose members competed to kill the most birds in a year. How could they ?
Tortoiseshell Butterfly At Rest
Courtship behaviour of Tortoiseshells is peculiar. A male approaches the female from behind, drums his antennae on her wings; A feint sound audible even to the human ear.
Homing In
The name Apis mellifera comes from the Latin, Apis, for bee, melli- for honey, and ferre, 'to bear'. Thus the scientific name translates as 'honey-bearing bee'.
Lady Of The Manor
In 1973 the Rare Breeds Survival Trust was formed, choosing the White Park cattle breed as its logo. Since then numbers of this breed surviving have risen from 60 to almost 800.
Golden Globes
Buddleja globosa, an attractive golden yellow globed variety, also known as the Orange Ball Tree, is a magnet for butterflies such as the Small Tortoiseshell, pictured here.
Posing For The Camera
House Sparrows are so adaptable, they have been found living and breeding 2000ft below ground in a coalmine; Others are known to live their whole lives inside warehouses.
Blue-tailed Demoiselles
In 'mating wheel' formation. Damselflies (here Ischnura elegans), differ from dragonflies in that their wings are closed at rest. The male is the upper damselfly here.
Just Good Friends
In my country, Wales, our woolly friends outnumber humans 3:1. No jokes please !
Basking In The Sun
Insects are cold blooded creatures, and this Small Tortoiseshell butterfly makes the most of the summer sunshine by sunning itself on golden Buddleja globosa blossom. Bliss !
Exmoor Mother And Foal
Though similar looking and living within close proximity of Dartmoor ponies, the Exmoor' is a different breed and on the 'endangered' list. Exmoor ponies have no white markings.
Bizzy
Male Early Bumblebee feeding on Tayberry blossom. A recent survey shows that solitary bees are twice as likely to pollinate flowers they visit as their more colonial counterparts.
The Watcher
The Robin (Erithacus rubecula), was named Britain's National Bird on 1960. Each robin has an unique breast pattern, and can (with difficulty) be recognised individually.
Early Bumblebee Male Feeding
Bumblebees feed on both nectar and pollen. Nectar is a sugary liquid which gives bees energy. Pollen is full of protein. It helps the body to grow and is also fed to young bees.
Making A Bee Line
Ever noticed how bees reject some flowers in favour of others? Research has shown that bees are able to scent the strength of nectar present, as well as odours left by other bees.
You Have My . . . .
Goats are inquisitive and intelligent and it is common that a female leads a trip, or herd.
Hanging On For Life
Male bumblebees are adept at clinging to flowers. Even upside down. To help facilitate this, tibia of its hind legs are convex, whereas those of female bumblebees are concave.
Red Dragon At Rest
Rarely seen in the UK, this beautiful male Scarlet Darter dragonfly is entirely red. whereas the female is yellow-brown, with a pale streak on its thorax, between its wings.
A Sweet But Heavy Load
Pollen is carried back to the nest in pollen baskets on the two hind legs. When both of her baskets are full, they can weigh an incredible 50% of the worker's body weight.
An Ancient Breed
Exmoor is an area of high moorland and of outstanding beauty in south western Britain. Exmoor ponies have inhabited the moor since ancient times. It is the oldest British pony.
Orange Tail
Bumblebees are very effective pollinators of raspberries. In fact, often superiorly to honey bees. Studies with Rubus idaeus in Scotland found that bumblebees outperform them.
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Looking For A Landing Pad
A Tasty Meal
Hanging On For Supper
Covered In Chocolate
The Insect
Watching The Ladies
Let Me Tell You A Secret
Cuddling Squirrels
Bridging The Gap
Mr Whiskers
Golden Flower
Playing Peek-a-boo
Optical Ill-ewe-sion
Two Friendly Donkeys
The Curious Sheep
Goldeneye
On The Edge
The Bee
The Kiss
I Can See You
Bee On Globe Thistle
Little Chough
The Tearful Squirrel
Here He Comes !
Welsh Winter Robin
Gathering Nuts For Winter
The Beautiful Swallowtail
Who's Watching ?
Twinkle Eyed Duck
On The Lookout
Black Face Goats
First Steps
He Always Waits
Hello!
Do You Like My New Coat?
The Stare
The Improbable Puffin
Family Day Out
Watching Mum And Dad
Stepping Out
Shy
Smile For The Camera
Waiting For Supper
Thoughtful
Puffin At Roost
Skomer Bunny
Watching For Her Mate
Love On The Rocks
Longhorn Highland Bull
Watching Me
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